KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas announced Wednesday at a school board meeting that graduation ceremonies will take place in mid-June, but with a limited number of guests, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That really warmed my heart to know that my mom and my step dad can come to see me graduate,” said graduating West High School student Kailah Tucker.
The announcement comes after last week’s announcement that graduation ceremonies would be live streamed in late July and early August and without any guests in attendance.
“If it’s just me, I’m thrilled, I’m excited that I can go,” said Tucker’s mother, Michelle Hammock. “I’m glad that they’re giving us that opportunity to go watch our children graduate.”
PREVIOUS STORY: Knox County Schools superintendent announces in-person graduation ceremonies for Class of 2020
“They’ve been cut short a lot this year. For him to get to walk means a lot to me,” said the mother of a South Doyle High School senior, Teca Ruby. “We wait 18 years for this, for this moment, because it’s a very pivotal time in their life. It’s their time shine; it’s their time to step out and go, so I’m just excited for them.”
According to Thomas, these new graduation plans could change.
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